Display apparatus



March28, 1939. c. L. WALKER DISPLAY APPARATUS 2 Sheet-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 20, 1955 INVENTOR. C'L/NTON L WALKER MQW! flaw ATTORNEY March 28, 1939. c LK R 7 2,151,877

DI SPLAY APPARATUS Filed Nov. 20, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. CLINTON L. MLKER ZZ 4 9% M ATTORNEY v Patented Mar. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES gPATENT OFFICE DISPLAY APPARATUS Clinton L. Walker, Piedmont, Calif. Application November 20, 1935, Serial No. 50,799

4 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in mobile display apparatus.

The broad object of myinvention is to provide apparatus for use in service stations, bywhich merchandise can be displayed in position alongside of a, vehicle being serviced, and capable oi adjustment along the side of the vehicle so as to bring the displayed merchandise into reach of the occupants seated in the vehicle and permit them to help themselves to the articles so displayed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a display apparatus which can be moved into position afterthe vehicle has come to rest in the service station, and to mount it so that it will serve the two sides and ends of an island.

, Another object of my invention is to provide a display apparatus in which the display tray is arranged to be moved alongside of the vehicle,'within reach of the occupants thereof, and which when out of use can be moved into an elevated position to prevent pilferage of the merchandise.

Another object of my invention is to provide a movable display device which can be fitted into a small space when out of use.

Another object of my invention is to provide a display device which is not cumbersome, nor difficult to move into position alongside the vehicle standing within its range.

Another object of my invention is to provide a pivoted, extensible display device in service stations, which device is so mounted as not to interfere with cars moving in and. out of the station or with attendants in their work of servicing a vehicle.

Another object of my invention is to provide means in a pivotally mounted display device to I prevent the marring or scratching of the vehicle.

Another object ofmy invention is to provide a self-balancing display tray, arranged. to hold the tray in a generally horizontal position, regardless of the angle of inclination of the arm carrying the tray.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and in which-like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same; i

Fig. 1 is a .view in perspective, showing the display device mounted on a service station islandf and with the tray supporting arm extended fulllength';

Fig. 2 is a, view in perspective, showing the tray supporting arm fully telescoped and in its upward extending position of rest;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation view, partly in crosssection, showing the pivoting control means;

I Fig, 4 is a view in perspective showing the end of the telescoping supporting arm in telescoped position and with the tray removed;

Fig. 5 is a detail in cross-section of the mounting for the display tray on the end of the telescoping arm;

Fig. 6 is a cross section detail view of the tray supporting arm telescoped and in the horizontal 10 position; v I

Fig. 7 is a cross-section view of the telescoping arm in a partially extended position;

Fig. 8 is a cross-section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 3 but with a slightly modified form of base mounting; and

Fig, 9 shows a modified form of-mounting the device.

It is the purpose of my invention to provide a display device for carrying merchandise direct g to the side of a vehicle while it is in a service station. It is well known that the majority of customers who bring their vehicles to a service station for gasoline, oil, air, etc. remain. seated in their machines and consequently do not have an opportunity toexamine or inspect any merchandise which may be displayed in the service station or in non-mobile shelves or show-cases about the station. By means of my mobile display tray I provide the means for bringing this merchandise directly within reach of the motorist while seated in the vehicle. This permits him. to inspect the merchandise and to help himself to whatever is on the display tray which he Wishes to purchase. 35

With my device the station operator can place before the customer the merchandise on display and can then go about the task of servicing the car. During this interval the customer can make his selection of merchandise. Upon completion of the servicing operation the attendant can withdraw the tray, telescope the arm, and fold it up out of reach.

Broadly, my invention (see Fig. l) is comprised of the mounting means A, the telescoping means B, the means 0 by which its position is regulated, and the pivotally mounted display means D.

The mounting means A, is usually made to be attached to the floor or to an island in a service station, although it is understood, as will subsequently be explained, that it may be attached to the roof, or to a vertical post, etc. An island is the term usually applied to a raised curbing which divides the trafiic lanes in a service station, and on which the gasoline pumps, etc., are mounted.

In Fig. 1 I show my device mounted on such an island 20. The mounting means illustrated comprises the housing member 2 I, with a flange 22 at its base, serving to attach it to the island 28, and with its top end closed at 23 to provide a walled recess or bearing 24. The other element of this mounting means comprises the tubular member 25, adapted to fit the bearing 24. At its upper end it is shaped to provide a boss 21 and a flat circular anchor plate 28, having holes 30 and 3 I.

The telescoping means B, may be comprised of one or more tubular members adapted to slide one within the other, the number employed depending upon the maximum reach to be covered and upon the length of each individual section which is practical and efiicient. While I have illustrated these tubular members as square in cross-section, they may be round, oval, or any other shape.

In Figs. 1 and 2 I show the telescoping means B, made up of five short tubular sections 40, 4|, 42, 43 and 44. Sections 4|, 42 and 43 are substantially identical, except for size, and have the pivotally mounted rollers 45 sheathed in the lower body extension 46; the stop lugs 41 which limit the extent which the sections can telescope; the spring mounted detents 48 on alternate sides and corresponding notches 5D in the wall of the adjacent inner section (see Fig. '1) and pivotally mounted rollers 5I concealed in the inner end of each section. Except for size and, the location of the lugs 41 and detents 48, the intermediate telescoping sections, regardless of number employed, are identical.

It is desirable that there should be a minimum looseness or twist between the telescoping sections. I show one way of accomplishing this by having the upper inner surface of each member slotted longitudinally to provide a close-fitting track for rollers 5|. This slot 58 is shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 8. To prevent the sections from pulling apart when extended, I provide a stop plate 59 secured near the top inside end of each section.

The tip or smaller telescoping section 44 has the pivotally mounted roller 5I concealed at its inner end, and at its outer end is provided with extension members 52 in which pin 53 is fitted. It also has a notch 59. Pin 53 pivotally connects the display means D to this tip section.

The base or larger section 48 does not have a detent 48, but does have the pivotally mounted roller 45 near its outer end, and at its other end has flanges 54, useful for attaching it to rotary member 55, by means of cap screws 56. Rotary member 55 has a projecting pin 51 formed integral with it. Pin 51' passes through hole 30 in anchor plate 29, and mounts the base section 49 for vertical swinging movement about it.

Any vertical movement imparted to base section 48 and its attached telescoping members, is regulated by a spring 69 and an air cushion 6I, the former tending to counterbalance the weight of the telescoping arm and display means, and the latter serving to check or snub the movement of the arm when it nears the end of its stroke in either direction.

The counterbalancing means I have shown comprises the fiat coil spring 69 which has a loop 62 at its inner end, and a loop 63 at its outer end. Loop 63 hooks on the under side of pin 64 suitably fastened to base section 46, and exerts on it a lifting effect. Loop 62 hooks in a drum 65 which is loosely mounted on a collar 68 fitted on pin 51. A nut 66 and washer 61, of larger outside diameter than collar 68, on the end of pin 51 hold the drum in place and also hold the rotary member 55 in place against circular anchor plate 28. The inner periphery of drum 65 is ratcheted to cooperate with pawl 10, carried on pin 31 mounted in anchor plate 28. By fitting a wrench in holes H in the side of drum 65 and rotating it the tension on spring 69 can be increased or decreased to whatever is sufficient to counterbalance the weight of the suspended arm B and display means D. Suitable means such as the wire 69 attached to pawl 10 is provided for lifting it.

Obviously other types of counterbalancing means may be employed which will accomplish an equivalent purpose with that I have used for illustration.

The form of snubber I have shown generally at BI is of the dash-pot type, although other types may be employed. It comprises a closed cylindrical chamber 12, adapted to contain a fiuid. In one end of the cylinder is secured a bolt 13, having a nut 14 threaded on its end and set away from the end of the cylinder. The other end of the cylinder is closed by a cap 15 through which a piston rod 16 projects. A suitable packing 11 and gland nut 18 is provided around rod 16. Piston 88 is secured to the end of rod 16 and has restricted passageways 8| and 82 drilled in its body, with suitable checkvalves 83 set therein. By checking the flow of valves in the piston the movement of rod 16 and bolt 13 toward or away from each other can be controlled.

Piston rod 16 is pivoted at 84 to yoke 85, suitably attached to base section 40 by angle bracket 86. Bolt 13 passes freely through a hole in block 81, pivotally mounted on bracket 88, attached by bolts 98 to boss 21 on tubular member 25. In Fig. 6 the parts are shown in the position they occupy when the telescoping arm B is in its lowered position. Notice that nut 14 on bolt 13 is away from block 81 and piston rod 16 is inside chamber 12. In Fig. 2 arm B is in its raised position and nut 14 on bolt 13 is now against block 81 and piston rod 16 has moved piston to the other end of chamber 12. The lost motion provided by having bolt 13 slidable in block 81 is to permit arm B unrestricted movement during the first part of its travel in either direction and to check its movement only as it approaches the up or the down position.

It is desirable that some means of adjustment be provided to regulate the position of the arm B when in lowered position and in raised position. I care for this in the former case by having adjusting bolt I20, with lock nut I2I threaded in boss I22, which bears against tubular member 25. In the raised position the regulation is obtained by nut 14 on bolt 13, or by adjusting bolt I23, with lock nut I24, threaded in boss I25, which bears against tubular member 25.

The display means D comprises the tray 9|, formed with side walls 92, and may have partitions (not shown) spaced to receive certain special packages of merchandise. At its corners soft pads 99 prevent it from injuring, denting or scratching anything it may contact. The tray is suitably fastened to bracket 93, which is on the top end of upright 94. Near its lower end it is enlarged at to provide a bearing surface 96 to coact with bearing surface 91 on member 98. Its tip end is threaded to receive nut I09 which holds it loosely in member 98. Part of the collar 95 is cut away (see Fig. 4)

fluid through the checkall and a stop pin I M is set in bearing surface 91 to limit the extent of rotation of upright 94 and tray 9|.

Member 98, besides providing the bearing for upright 94, has depending arms I02 and I03, with weights I04, I05 secured at their lower ends by bolts I00 and I91. Near their upper ends, depending arms I02 and I03 are pivoted to the end of the tip telescoping section 44 by pin 53. The weights thus can establish the tray in a predetermined level position, regardless of the position of telescoping arm B.

On the top side of arm member 44 maybe pivoted a pawl IIO with an actuating pin III and spring H2. The pawl engages a slot H3 in member 98 and when engaged serves to hold the tray mounting means in a rigid position (see Fig. l). The pawl may be released when the arm B is completely telescoped (see Fig. 4) and I have shown one mechanism for doing this, which comprises an arm II4 mounted in section 40 and having its end tapered to ride up on the surface of bracket H5 and lift pawl IIO by contacting actuating pin III. With pawl 40 released and the arm telescoped, the tray 9| will remain level as the arm swings it into the position shown in Fig. 2. In this position the weights I04 and I05 nest in against arm section.

Pin 53 has an extension I00 and handle I09 attached to it to serve in adjusting the position of the arm B.

Operation Assuming the device is in ,the position of Fig.

: 2, the station attendant grasps handle I09 and pulls the tray 9| into the position shown in Fig. 9. This may bring the tray into position within reachof the customer seated in the vehicle. Any additional movement of the tray required to bring it within reach of the customer is effected by further pulling on handle I09 which results in the sections 40, 4|, 42, 43 and 44,sliding within each other. The maximum reach, or unfolding possible is shown in Fig. 1.

By means of the spring mounted detents or pawls 4'8, and notches the intermediate sections 4|, 42 and 43 and the tip section 44 areinterlocked and the first movement, on unfolding, results in section 4| moving out of section 40. When its detent 48 passes beyond the end of section 40 it releases the lock between section 4| and 42, so that section 42 moves out of section 4|. This is repeated with the others so that the tip section 44 is the last to move. The reason for controlling the unfolding is to have as little overhang as possible between the section that is moving and the tray. In other words, if the telescoping arm unfolded first the tip section and then each succeeding section, the friction, strain on rollers, etc. would be unnecessarily multiplied by the time section 42 was moving out of 4|, and 4| out of 40.

When the display device is to be returned to the position shown in Fig. 2, the attendant grasps handle I09, or takes hold of the tray itself and pushes in a horizontal direction until he has telescoped the extended sections. This causes the arm I I4 to lift pawl H0 and member 98 is free to rotate about pin 53. The attendant lifts slightly on handle I09 and spring 60 cooperates to lift the tray into the raised position.

While I have shown the device as rigidly mounted on an island, it is not limited to this type of installation. For instance, in Fig. 9 I have shown diagrammatically, two optional mountings. The bracket I20 is adapted to a wall mounting. The bracket I 2I (in broken lines) is adapted for a ceiling mounting. Other forms of mountings would be to attach the flange 22 (Fig. 1) to a truck moving on tracks on the island so as to avoid the gasoline pumps and give a greater reach in a. forward and backward direction parallel with the island; or pivotally mounted off center with respect to the base by means of pin 25 in the tubular portion of link 33, which is in turn pivotally mounted at its other end on base 2i by means of pin 32. The latter construction is particularly advantageous where gasoline pumps are arranged on the island and the display tray when in service must lie parallel to the island, but avoid the pumps.

Consequently, it is to be understood that the forms of my invention, herewith shown and described, are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my inven tion, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a display apparatus the combination of abase, an arm hinged to said base, said arm comprising a plurality of short sections which can be extended, means for controlling the order of extension of said sections whereby the unextended section nearest the base is the first to move into extended position, and display means pivotally attached to said arm- 2. In a display apparatus the combination of a base, an arm hinged to said base, said arm comprising a plurality of sections which can be extended, display means pivotally attached to said arm, and means for limiting the pivotal movement of said display means when said sections are extended and for allowing free pivotal movement when they are telescoped whereby said arm may move vertically without disturbing the level position of said display means.

3. In a display apparatus adapted for universal movement about a fixed base, the combination of a base, an anchor member pivotally mounted in said base, an arm pivotally connected to said anchor member, counterbalancing means for lifting said arm, means for controlling the rate of movement of said arm about its pivot, and display means pivotally attached at the end of said arm.

4. In a display apparatus the combination of a base, an arm hinged to said base, said arm comprising a plurality of short sections telescoped within each other and adapted to be extended, latch means controlling the order of extension of said sections whereby the order of extension is regulated to allow relative extensible movement successively beginning with the section nearest the base.

CLINTON L. WALKER. 

